TypeBrandy, agedDescriptionGeneric for distilled spirits made from fruit, including both aged products like Cognac, Armagnac, and Metaxa (grapes), Calvados and applejack (apples), and unaged products like framboise eau de vie, grappa, kirsch, parack palinka, and slivovitz. In common parlance, used without other descriptors, it refers to aged grape brandy in the Cognac style.FlavorbrandyAvailabilityGenerally available. Distributed […]

TypeWines used in mixed drinksAlso known asItalian vermouth, rosso vermouth, red vermouthDescriptionGeneric for Italian or Italian-style sweet fortified spiced wine aperitif, red in color. When the term vermouth is used alone, generally sweet vermouth is what is meant – excepting when the term is used in conjunction with a Dry Martini in which case, dry […]

TypeBittersDescriptionProprietary Louisiana brand of anis-charactered aromatic bitters introduced by Haitian immigrant, Antoine Amedee Peychaud. Produced since the early 19th century, currently by The Sazerac Company, which can trace its linage to one of the first venues to serve these bitters – in the drink for which they were created. They remain notable & essential in […]

TypeNon-alcoholic additives, juices & mixersDescriptionGeneric fresh or frozen juice of the lime fruit. Most common in rum & tequila drinks, also well-loved with gin & vodka, and used in everything. Note that limon in Spanish can mean either lime OR lemon, so choice should be on the basis of the base spirit if there is […]

TypeNon-alcoholic additives, juices & mixersDescriptionGeneric fresh or frozen juice of the lemon fruit. The most ubiquitous fruit used in the entire pantheon of mixed drinks. Note that limon in Spanish can mean either lemon (limon) OR lime (limon verde), so choice should be on the basis of the suffix, or base spirit if there is […]

TypeNeutral spiritsDescriptionNeutral spirit, diluted and filtered through charcoal. Dependent on the nature of the distillate, the temperature & number of distillations, the nature of the diluting water, and the number of filtrations for any particular brand’s given character. Vodka can be made from many bases: grain, potato, beet, cane, or rice. “Vodka” is diminutive for […]

TypeWines used in mixed drinksAlso known asred DubonnetDescriptionProprietary French quinquina in sweet (red) and less-sweet (blonde) varieties. Unquestionably, the most famous quinquina made. Called for in a variety of cocktails, one of them named for it: the Dubonnet Cocktail (which, for a time, Dubonnet also produced in a bottled form. Notable in the Blackthorn Cocktail.AvailabilityGenerally […]